Today’s letters cover the Irish financial crisis, the ‘tartan tax’ furore, RAF Leuchars, referee Hugh Dallas, and the dangers of slow driving.
Tiger economy was reared on British taxes
Sir,-Sandy West (November 25) commented on Ireland’s economic performance during the 1980s and 1990s, the so-called period of the tiger economy.
What should be realised is that during this period, before the accession of the eastern European countries into the EU, Ireland was considered one of the poorest regions of the EU.
Yes, that was how it was seen in Brussels, a region of the EU, and, as such, was in receipt of huge amounts of funds. These funds came from the main contributors to the EU budget, largely Germany and Britain.
The British Government, during this period, paid in approximately £4 billion more each year into the EU funds than we received back.
Coincidentally, £4 billion is almost the exact amount that Ireland received in EU funding each year. It could be said, therefore, with some justification, that we paid for Ireland’s prosperity.
There is, however, another reason for Ireland’s economic performance the very low rate of corporation tax levied, the lowest in Europe. In Ireland it is 12.5%. In Britain it is 21%.
The Irish Government, now raising individual taxes and cutting benefits, is not raising corporation tax, otherwise the multi-national companies now in Ireland will leave.
George A. Cormack.McLauchlan Rise,Aberdour.
Swinney takes rap
Sir,-Many people in Perthshire of all political persuasions will have been saddened to see John Swinney’s attempt to defuse the tartan tax furore.
His obvious loyalty to his party required him to defend the indefensible and take the blame for a decision, or indeed possibly a strategy, that was obviously a Cabinet responsibility, not just his alone. That others did not pursue a vote of no confidence is only because they know there is more to come and better to stretch out SNP discomfort for a protracted period while they get to the bottom of things.
However, this will at least make sure that the full facts and involvement of others are eventually made known and we can then make a proper judgment of this whole matter.
Victor Clements.Mamie’s Cottage,Aberfeldy.
Air force must stay in Scotland
Sir,-It is obvious to me that the Coalition Government lacks common sense to even consider closing RAF Leuchars.
As Menzies Campbell has pointed out, Leuchars’s geographical position is vital. It is right on the margins of Scotland’s Central Belt and its aircraft can reach the whole of the northern sector as well as northern England.
The old Soviet threat may be over but the world remains an unpredictable place. Aircraft from RAF Leuchars have not ceased intercepting Russian aircraft. It is also vital that RAF Lossiemouth is retained as the Highlands are a training ground for crews. The area is like Europe in miniature.
Thomas Brown.6 Tulliebelton Road,Bankfoot.
Opportunism of Catholic Church
Sir,-Scottish Catholic Church spokesman Peter Kearney’s hysterical call for the sacking of referee Hugh Dallas is reprehensible.
Mr Kearney and his boss Keith O’Brien have seen an opportunity to play the sectarian victim card and have dealt it from the bottom of the deck. Now Dallas has gone.
That old sectarian nonsense may have worked 30 years ago but it has little resonance outside of west-central Scotland today.
Mr Kearney initially had little evidence that Hugh Dallas sent any email mocking the Pope, yet he called for Mr Dallas’s dismissal based on tabloid rumours.
Contrast this with what we know the Pope has been accused of matters including the rehabilitation of the holocaust-denying Bishop Richard Williamson, and covering up the abuse by Catholic clergy of thousands of children when he was head of the inquisition.
If Peter Kearney had any credibility he would be calling for the resignation of the Pope.
Instead, in collaboration with Celtic FC chairman Dr John Reid, Kearney is using the Hugh Dallas row as an excuse to help Celtic get one over on the SFA. It has nothing to do with sectarianism and everything to do with politics.
The Catholic church sees this as an opportunity to try to re-establish some authority.
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.
Road danger from slow drivers
Sir,-Councillor Andrew Rodger (November 25) might be better campaigning for stricter testing of drivers when they reach 70 rather than an overtaking ban on the A915.
I have travelled the Standing Stane road regularly and inevitably hold-ups are caused by drivers who are travelling too slowly.
Is the councillor saying we should be driving at a speed dictated by drivers who cannot go above 40mph?
Many slower drivers take umbrage when someone tries to overtake. They speed up and it is this type of manoeuvre which is downright dangerous, not the overtake itself.
I know that drivers complain about overtakes at times simply because they see it as dangerous, when, in fact, it is the complainers who lack driving skills.
I was on the receiving end of a mouthful when a driver spoke to me about an overtake I had made the day before.
He said I should not have overtaken two cars at once. That was on a straight road with over half a mile visibility and the overtaken cars doing less than 40mph.
John Montgomery.24 March Crescent,Cellardyke.
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